BCC History
History of the Brandywine Country Club The first meeting of the Board of Governors of the Brandywine Country Club was held on Monday, September 10, 1945 at the YMHA at 5th and French Streets. Those in attendance were: Saul L. Cohen, Dr. W. Greenstein, S.S. Arsht, David Braunstein, Ralph Bell, Barney Cantor, Joseph Handler, Harry Jacobs, Michael Hendler, John Kane, Max Keil, Harry Kaufman, Dr. J.M. Barsky, Morris Leibowitz, Dr. Charles Levy, Nathan Miller, John Mittelman, Sol Zallea, H. Albert Young, Maurice Swimmer, Meyer Pressman, J. Margolis, Theodore Tuckerman, Joseph Lipsky and William Feinberg. Those unable to attend were Milton Kutz, Ben Shindler, Aaron Finger, Harry Cohen and Joseph Lazarus. Harry Blam was the: "temporary secretary". The total number of Board Members was thirty (30). They were to serve in three groups of ten each. The first group of ten would serve for one year, the second group of ten would serve for two years and the third group of ten would serve for three years. Mr. Saul Cohen acted as temporary Chairman of the Board. By means of a lottery drawing, the following Board of Directors was selected. Board Members to serve one year were: Saul Cohen, S. Samuel Arsht, Barney Cantor, Max Keil, Harry Kaufman, John Mittelman, Milton Kutz, Sol Zallea, Ben Shindler and Meyer Pressman. Board Members to serve two years were: David Braunstein, Dr. M. Greenstein, Joseph Handler, Harry Jacobs, Michael Hendler, Joseph Lazarus, Morris Leibowitz, H. Albert Young, Harry Cohen and Theodore Tuckerman. Board Members to serve three years were: Ralph Bell, John Kane, Dr. J.M. Barsky, Dr. Charles Levy, Nathan Miller, Aaron Finger, Maurice Swimmer, J. Margolis, Joseph Lipsky and William Feinberg. The Chairman, Mr. Saul Cohen, then appointed a nominating committee to recommend a slate of officers. That committee consisted of John Kane, S. Samuel Arsht, Joseph Handler, Michael Hendler and Harry Kaufman. It was decided that the officers should be as follows and serve for a term of one year. President; Three Vice-Presidents; Treasurer; Secretary The nominating committee made the following recommendations: President - Dr. Joseph M. Barsky; First Vice-President - Nathan Miller; Second Vice-President - Harry Kaufman; Third Vice President - Meyer Pressman The first Executive Committee was as follows: Nathan Miller, J.M. Barsky, David Braunstein, Saul Cohen, William Feinberg, Michael Handler, John Kane, Harry Kaufman, John Mittelman, Meyer Pressman and H. Albert Young. At a meeting in February, 1946, it was decided to issue "Bonds" to those members who had paid their full subscription of $1,000. Mr. Bernard Isaacson was chosen as the Financial and Recording Secretary, and his annual salary was to be equivalent to one year's membership dues, plus taxes based on this income. The temporary office of the club was to be in Mr. Isaacson's office, Room 312, Equitable Building. At a meeting in March, 1946, an estimate by the Building Committee of the cost to get the club started was as follows: Renovating the main building of the farmhouse $15,000.00 Locker rooms $25,000.00 Furnishings for main building $10,000.00 Construction of golf course, tennis court and parking lot $90,000.00 Construction of swimming pool $25,000.00 Water supply $ 5,000.00 Cost of land $62,000.00 Total Cost $232,000.00 The land which was purchased was originally a 160 acre farm owned by Mr. William Luke, owner of the Oldsmobile agency in Wilmington. In June, 1946, an architect was selected to design the golf course. The firm chosen was A.H. Tull. This firm had designed the DuPont Country Club Golf Course. Ground breaking was scheduled for June 16, 1946. The first Club Manager was Mr. Crawford, who agreed to a salary of $100 per week, plus 10% of the net profit on food and liquor. He began work in December of 1946. The first chairmen of Club Committees were: House Committee - Nathan Miller and John Kane; Golf Committee - Meyer Pressman, Harry Waldman and Herb Steinberg; Greens and Building Committee - Saul Cohen, Chairman; Entertainment Committee - John Kane; Membership Committee - John Mittelman. At a meeting in November, 1946, the most critical factor facing the Club was the availability of water!!! Mr. Saul Cohen reported that the only was the Club would be able to obtain water was to have wells dug and storage facilities built. An allowance of ten to twelve thousand dollars was agreed upon for this project, however further actions of the Board led to a decision to spend whatever monies necessary in order to provide water!!! At this same meeting, John Mittelman, Membership Chairman, reported that the Club Membership totaled 169 Members as of November 17, 1946. At a meeting of the Board of Directors, the first golf professional of Brandywine Country Club was selected. His name was Bill Melhorn. His salary was $3,000 per year, to be paid at a rate of $375 per month for eight months, starting March, 1947. In addition he would charge $12.50 per member for club storage, and $4.00 per half hour lessons. He agreed to supply an assistant pro who would charge $3.00 per half hour lessons. Mr. Melhorn and his wife would be given a 10% discount on food, but no discount on liquors consumed. Mr. Melhorn was followed by Eddie Bush, Jack Futerer, Carmen Steppo, John Suvie and our present golf professional, George McNamara. Our first Greens Superintendent was Angelo DeLitta, who remained at BCC until his retirement in 1980. The first Club Champion was Dr. Saul Levin in 1947. He defeated Dr. Irving Yalisove in a 38 hole match!!! We, the current Members of Brandywine Country Club, owe a great debt of gratitude to this small group of dedicated men who had the courage and commitment, both physical and financial, to build this club. I seriously doubt that we would be here if it were not for their outstanding efforts. This "Founder's Day" was for many years known as "Saul Cohen Day". However, after many years, the Board of Directors recognized that although Mr. Cohen was certainly the leader of this group of individuals, it was inappropriate not to recognize the efforts of all of those men who worked so diligently to build this Club. This is the first time in my memory that the history of how Brandywine Country Club came to be was put in print. I hope that this effort will serve to enrich your appreciation and enjoyment of our Club. Prepared by Howard Wilk, M.D.
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